Saturday, August 30, 2025
Downtown Spruce Pine, NC

The North Carolina Hellbender Festival, held Saturday, August 30, 2025, in Downtown Spruce Pine, is a free, all-day celebration of river health, Appalachian biodiversity, and community resilience. Named for the elusive Eastern hellbender salamander, the festival features live music, local food trucks, artisan vendors, and hands-on science and nature activities for all ages. Visitors can enjoy interactive workshops, art stations, and educational exhibits that highlight the importance of clean rivers and the unique wildlife they support. Rooted in Western North Carolina, the event blends music, science, art, and community to inspire stewardship of our mountain waterways and offer a fun, meaningful experience for nature loving visitors and locals alike.

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Online Store

Browse the official North Carolina Hellbender Festival store for exclusive merchandise, including T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and more. Order now to get your gear in time for the festival or to show your support from anywhere!

Maker Midway

  • Memri Roo Creative

  • Froggies Crochet Corner

  • Grumpy Dwarf Pottery

  • Henry Gardner

  • JoAnne Lamphier

  • Kiln Goblin Ceramics

  • Kintsugi House

  • Lizz Grimsley Prints

  • Lumi Linx Permanent Jewelry

  • Treehopper Trading Co.

  • Wandering Arts and Crafts

  • Wild Ridge Tallow

  • Fixed Line Appalachia

  • Eliza Makes Cool Art

  • Carolinas Comfort

  • Appalachian Expressionism

  • Arcane Comforts

  • AssetArt

  • Mossy Path Studio

  • Erythaia Illustration

  • Natural Creations Handmade Earrings

  • North Fly Apparel

  • Not wrapped too tight and Nikki's Nourished By Nature

  • Periwinkle Arts

  • Shugga Magnolia

  • Appalshop

  • Becca Childress Creative

  • Beetle & Bobbin

  • Blue Ridge Botanic

  • Captures by Dezi

  • Wilderness Muse

  • Bandana Blades & Crafts

  • Stray Dog Glass

  • Meadow Made Craft

  • Penland School

Discovery District

  • North Carolina Arboretum

  • Tractor Food and Farm

  • Mitchell Giving Gardens

  • American Conservation Experience

  • Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

  • Altec

  • Quartz Corp

  • Sibelco

  • Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy

  • U.S. Forest Service

  • Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development

  • Appalachian Voices

  • WNC Nature Center

  • Chattanooga Zoo

  • Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina

  • Conservation Trust for North Carolina

  • Eco Foresters

  • Environmental Educators of NC

  • Grandfather Mountain

  • NC Wildlife Resources Commission

  • Xerces Society

  • Blue Ridge Conservancy

  • Orchard at Altapass

  • National Park Service

  • NC Musuem of Science

  • National Parks Conservation Association

  • Defenders of Wildlife

  • Made X Mtns

  • NC DEQ

  • Hemlock Restoration Initiative

Riverside Provisions

  • Blue Bear Ice Cream

  • Cabeaux's Cajun Cooking

  • Gelu Italian Ice

  • Sips Soda Shop

  • Hellbender Pizza

  • Lemon Lips Lemonade

Music Schedule

Sammy Osmond and The No Hellers

1:00 PM

3:00 PM

5:00 PM

7:30 PM

Billy Jonas Trio

The Local Honeys

River Whyless

We are looking for passionate, community-minded volunteers to help us bring it to life! From supporting live music and hands-on science and art activities, to assisting vendors and guiding guests, there’s a role for everyone. Be a part of this one-of-a-kind event celebrating nature, culture, and community in Appalachia, inspired by the ancient Eastern Hellbender.


Sign up by clicking below, or reach out to programs@discoversprucepine.com, and we will find a position that best fits you! Note that volunteers will receive a free Hellbender Festival t-shirt and sticker.

Join the Volunteer Team!

Become a Sponsor!

Levels & Benefits

    • Premier sponsor recognition across all platforms

    • Top billing on posters, banners, and promotional materials

    • Sponsor shoutouts from the main stage during performances

    • Booth space in a premium location

    • Logo placement on the festival website, event signage, and printed handouts

    • Dedicated social media feature and email highlight

    • Logo placement on posters, signage, and website

    • Sponsor shoutouts during the event

    • Booth space at the festival

    • Group social media feature with other sponsors

    • Inclusion in select media promotion

    • Name recognition in festival materials

    • Mention in festival social media thank-you posts

  • For Downtown Spruce Pine Businesses Only

    • Name/logo listed on the website and shared on social media

    • Optional booth space to promote your business

  • Depending on your specific goals and audience, we’ll customize your sponsorship to best fit your needs. In-kind sponsorship is a great way to introduce your products and/or services to a diverse audience while supporting the North Carolina Hellbender Festival. Needs generally include: media advertisements, speaking opportunities, workshop instruction, marketing and promotional materials, etc. If in-kind donations are of a value equivalent to a sponsorship level, you will receive benefits for that sponsorship level.

    Please contact us with any questions at info@discoversprucepine.com or (828) 740-1336.

Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors

River Guardians

Mountain Ally

Hellbender Friends